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New message from Portland City Council (and other Oregon electeds): "...law enforcement do not want or need any help from paramilitaries or vigilante groups."
Brings to mind the lawsuit filed after Charlottesville protest barring unlawful paramilitary activity, which successfully kept far-right out of the city. https://www.law.georgetown.edu/news/georgetown-laws-icap-sues-to-prevent-paramilitary-groups-return-to-charlottesville/
If I recall... @OJRCenter, @CAIROregon, & @WStatesCenter suggested Portland City Council consider a similar lawsuit to keep armed far-right extremists out of Portland 3 years ago.
Albuquerque did this as recently as July: https://www.courthousenews.com/new-mexico-sues-armed-paramilitary-group/
Here's Oregon's state law against paramilitary activity: https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.660
Oh! @_jlevinson wrote this great story about it that I'm just seeing now! https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/25/progressive-activists-police-agree-blame-protests-elected-leaders/
Another interesting tidbit: In 2018, those three groups recommended city council attend training by the @WStatesCenter on understanding far-right extremist groups. It looks like that first training is set for.... Monday?
In brief: Portland City Council cared A LOT about this in 2018, but did nothing (aside from Wheeler's failed plan to restrict protests—linked here). Here we are again, a DAY before a Proud Boy rally, wondering what to do. https://www.portlandmercury.com/news/2018/11/22/24730616/mayor-wheelers-attempt-to-restrict-protests-failed-now-what
Portland City Hall can feel like a flat circle.
